1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation [by the conduct and example] of the wives; 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation [godly example in godliness with loyalty and reverence to their husbands] coupled with fear [respect].

Let wives be adorned with true godliness and the righteousness of keeping the whole Word of God as a Shining Light of example for others. Let wives be subject to all godliness and after that to be a true help to their husbands and not aggressive or disrespectful.

3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 3:5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves [with righteousness], being in subjection unto their own husbands: 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid [to be godly, keeping God’s Word] with any [having no fear to do what is godly] amazement [terror].

Godly women are the daughters of Sara as long as they are not afraid to be godlyand to do well, living by every Word of God.

Instructions for husbands

Husbands behave with wisdom and do not act and react selfishly or emotionally in anger or frustration. Have respect for your wives and live peaceably with them; for how can we come before God with an attitude of anger against the one we have pledged before God to love?

3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Instructions for All

This instruction is for the whole body of believers in their relations towards one another. If we are to behave thusly toward our neighbours, how much more are we to behave thusly to our spouses?

3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind [with God], having compassion [be forgiving] one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Refrain from spreading false rumors or teaching the brethren to turn away from their zeal to keep God’s Word; avoid all evil, which is the breaking of any part of the Word and Will of God; and always do good, which is living by every Word of God.

3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 3:11 Let him eschew [loathe and avoid] evil, and do good; let him seek peace [seek peace with God first and then with people], and ensue it.

God hears the prayers of those who do his will and keep his Word; but he will not hear the prayers of those who lack any zeal to keep his Word.

3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous[the zealous keepers of the whole Word of God], and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

If we do what is good and peaceable, only the wicked will seek our harm, because they are pricked in their conscious and despise the example that makes them feel uncomfortable.

3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

Be not afraid of trials, rather persevere to always have a good conscious before God through living by God’s Word, and study diligently so that we may be always able to answer others; and always set an example of godliness.

3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts [set yourself apart from sin, and dedicate ourselves to the godliness of the LORD]: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear [humility before God]: 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation [words and conduct] in Christ.

If we must suffer from men, let it be for pleasing God, rather than for any evil deed on our part.

3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened [resurrected] by the Spirit:

3:19 By which [Jesus Christ inspired Noah to warn the world during the 120 years he was building the ark] also he went and preached unto the spirits [that is: warning the souls; properly warning the people then living] in prison [properly: in bondage to sin at that time; (during the 120 years when the ark was being built)];

Christ inspired Noah by the Spirit to warn the people in bondage to sin, warning them for 120 years before the flood.

3:20 Which sometime [had been disobedient to God] were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing [for 120 years], wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Baptism [immersing, washing] is not merely washing clean the fleshly body, but is to show the washing away of all sin by figuratively destroying the old sinful person in a watery grave; to then rise up a new person clean from sin and dedicated to sinning no more.

The flood of Noah being an allegory of baptism, for the world was destroyed by water and those folks will yet rise up to turn from their disobedience and become new beings in Christ!

Sincere repentance and a baptismal commitment to sin no more; then brings the application of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, reconciling us to God the Father and bringing a good conscious for us towards God. The effectiveness of the sacrifice of Christ was made sure by his resurrection to glory and his acceptance by God the Father for us.

Eight persons went through the flood of Noah as a type of salvation for the godly.

Millions of persons died in the flood as a type of the death of the old sinful person [an allegory of baptism] and they will rise to become new godly persons in Christ in their due time.

Therefore the flood of Noah was an allegory of baptism, which is the death of the sinner in baptism and the rising up of a new being in Christ-like godliness, to become a new person putting away all sin to wholeheartedly live by every Word of God.

3:21The like figure[Noah’s flood is a like figure of baptism] whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience [The water of baptism is not meant to wash away physical dirt, but represents the washing away of all repented sin. The rising up out of the water of baptism a new sincerely repentant godly spiritual person in Christ and the application of the sacrifice of Christ, is what saves us.] toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:3:22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.